******Official 2017 Free Dining Plan Watch, Wait, and Dream

[Elsaalltheway]

Ok... I think I have my plan for this year! We'all see what happens. However, next year I'm thinking I may just go ahead and book a BB if I can and save myself this frustration! Here's my question- next year we will be a large party 7-8 adults and 2 Disney adults!

What is the best resort for large parties that will not be excluded from a BB?

Also book two rooms, one for you and one for spouse and go to a mid that has a fold down so you can fit five in a rooom.

 

[Lesley Wake]

I'm SOOO looking forward to this trip and the low crowds! I've been messing with touring plans and it's looking good! For Magic Kingdom, I decided to just put all the attractions I wanted to hit, and see what could fit in. Well... it all did in one day! And that was at a slow walking pace, with breaks and meals! We will end up doing one full day, one afternoon/evening, and MNSSHP, so should be able to go on our favorites multiple times! And for Epcot, no ride was more than 20 minutes, including FEA at about 11:30. We will still get FP+ for that one but it's good to know!

 

[cshell624]

Question: Will people still be using this thread well after FD drops, just to check in and watch the trends? I think I'd get lonely for everyone in here and want to continue to communicate well after the waters settle.

Last year the FD thread was closed. I haven't seen one yet (please let me know if there is one), but I thought about starting a thread later this week for those who want to continue planning their trips together once FD drops. Does that sound ok? We won't have to abandon this thread (unless it gets closed), but can continue to help others look for deals and plan our trips as well.

 

[JoyAhead]

Is it hard to make my own reservations and switch it to my TA when discounts come out? My husband insists we use his cousin, but she isn't helpful at all and doesn't work Mondays, which seems to be when this will come out.

 

[squirrel]

That is a HUGE party, but you have 7-8 Adults and 2 Disney Adults....what is that?

Disney Adult means that they are children 10+ pay adult tickets and food prices but don't count as adults in the room.

We should just call them Juniors which is what Disney use to call them. They need adult tickets and for dining plans adult prices, but are considered a child for the room.

 

[Steve11874]

I am super disappointed in this rumor of mods only getting QS dining. I just don't see the value in staying at a mod resort if this holds true. Why would I pay more for something when I can get a better deal for the same offer. I would bet there is going to be huge rush to book values and leave mods, Unfortunately for my family staying at a value requires 2 rooms or a suite and the numbers just don't work out. I guess I need to start crunching some off site prices or maybe Disney is going to finally price me out of a vacation and I will need to look elsewhere.

Same here. I am hoping the rumors are mistaken or Disney changes their mind. If it is only QSDP for mods we may just change our plans and stay off site this year. I hve never stayed offsite. It will be a fun comparison.

 

[kels420]

I am super disappointed in this rumor of mods only getting QS dining. I just don't see the value in staying at a mod resort if this holds true. Why would I pay more for something when I can get a better deal for the same offer. I would bet there is going to be huge rush to book values and leave mods, Unfortunately for my family staying at a value requires 2 rooms or a suite and the numbers just don't work out. I guess I need to start crunching some off site prices or maybe Disney is going to finally price me out of a vacation and I will need to look elsewhere.

This is my fear too. We do value anyway bc we are a family of 4 and my kids are little but yes- why would you get mod with QS when can pay less with value. Unless like u said your family is too big, otherwise I see the values getting filled quick also.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Pondering....... is Disney is smart line the airlines and will allow overbooking of resorts and allow more FD bookings. They have to be getting feedback on all these double bookings. Imagine checking in to POP " sorry we sre oversold, but we can offer you a room instead at the Poly" !!!

This happened to us last year at the end of September. We always do POP and get FD however it was sold out at POP for our week last year so I had booked ASMu but kept checking daily, POP never became available however CBR did for a standard room so I booked it. When we got to CBR they advised us that they overbooked and at first had put us in a pirate room however they realized we are 2 adults and upgraded us to Savannah View at AKL. I was actually in tears as I never expected this. Even though POP is our resort I was happy we couldn't get it last year.

 

[samsteele]

do you all have any preferences on what the next 'best' value resort is?

AS Sports because in the rare event a bus is shared with the other 2 AS resorts, Sports is first to pick up and first to drop off. Although I noticed a lot of bus sharing a few yrs ago in early Feb when I stayed at AS Music (which is a slower month) but not as much sharing late last Sept. Bear in mind that the closer buildings in the AS resorts have become preferred in the past year. At AS Sports, the Touch Down Football building is now also preferred. At AS Music, Jazz is now also preferred. Because of the resort footprints, AS Sports is a bit better spread out laterally so may be more accessible than the deeper footprint of AS Music. I found AS Sports Basketball Hoops Hotel Bldg 2 to be a quick 5 min walk to the main bldg & bus. Tennis Center Court Bldg 5 may not be bad either. I stayed at AS Music a few yrs ago. I preferred the theming to Sports but found it darker at night with less lighting & more overgrown. It made a difference for me as a solo woman guest & I wasn't as relaxed walking back to my room at night. While I didn't care for the AS Sports theming last Sept, the reality was that I really didn't see the outside of the building I was sleeping in. I always walked through the cute Surf's Up section enroute to the main bldg & bus so I actually enjoyed the general resort theming much more than I thought. All of the All Stars resorts interiors are the same. In fact, except for the new reno'd rooms at POP (and few will be available by the Fall if progress continues to be slow), POP rooms are the very same re space, layout & beds as AS Sports. I didn't notice any teenage sport teams late last Sept at AS Sports. However, by mid Nov into Dec, this can be a real factor with POP Warner.

 

[Disneygurl84]

I totally understand, but if you see the offer drop and it fits your needs you should have a modify button, if not a nice long call might be in your future. If it POR is excluded I'm truly sorry, but if it does have the QSDP like being offered again it may be a lengthy call to move the check in date and hope that the hotel is still on the table. If it's not, again, don't lose hope. Many people have waited weeks and even months till they get what they want. Remember get what you want and can afford with Free Dining as just a huge bonus. I wish you all the pixie dust you get what you request.

Thanks. I'm going either way with or without free dining. I guess I just don't know which is better. Change it now or later. I'm a little confused. Can I add free dining to my existing reservation online or do I have to call?

Thanks for the pixie dust. Appreciate it.

 

[archdandy]

is the 4 am release time in central time zone or eastern? Sorry if this has been answered before!

4am isn't the official release time. It's just the time that it dropped last year. In the past it has dropped at random times throughout the night so no one really knows the specific time it will become available.

This is really making me want to go to Shulas. I've always heard spectacular things. I know, not on DDP.

I haven't been but I always hears great things about Shula's!

It's cool and not scary. Just don't let them put you in the sensory overload room (aka the ice cave). The ever changing lights makes your food taste different. Before you naysay I worked for a food manufacturer and participated in a ton of sensory tests. Changing the lighting on your food can make it taste completely different. That room changes colors constantly and makes for a horrible dining experience.

Stacy

I didn't know this either! I don't know if its because of what I ordered or not but the food I had there the one time we went was just 'okay' and we sat in the ice cave

 

[lok1sgrl]

I wish I knew why people were saying POR wasn't included when the website list a few pages back doesn't mentionit.

The first I saw mention of the rumor was on Disney Tourist Blog: http://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-free-dining-dates/comment-page-29/#comments

Beth's comment: "Hello. A travel agent here in Brazil recently posted in her Facebook page that they got the dates for free dining . She claims they will be as such: August 13th through September 30th, November 14th through 20th and 25th through 27th and December 8th through 23th. Value and Moderate Resorts get Quick Service Dining Plan, Deluxe get standard. Excluded resorts are All Star Movie, Art of Animation -Little Mermaid rooms, Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary and The Villas at Grand Floridian."

Maybe that's where it's coming from? But like everything we've seen so far, it's heresay.

 

[Sadiemae76]

Disney Adult means that they are children 10+ pay adult tickets and food prices but don't count as adults in the room.

We should just call them Juniors which is what Disney use to call them. They need adult tickets and for dining plans adult prices, but are considered a child for the room.

Yes everyone is over 10! Which resort have rooms that sleep 5 adults? Or Rooms for 4 And 6? THAt also will not be excluded in the BB!

 

[mousefan73]

This happened to us last year at the end of September. We always do POP and get FD however it was sold out at POP for our week last year so I had booked ASMu but kept checking daily, POP never became available however CBR did for a standard room so I booked it. When we got to CBR they advised us that they overbooked and at first had put us in a pirate room however they realized we are 2 adults and upgraded us to Savannah View at AKL. I was actually in tears as I never expected this. Even though POP is our resort I was happy we couldn't get it last year.

That is awesome!!

 

[Susan Doeberl]

The only I recall is this:
http://andrezadicaeindica.com.br/promocao-disney.html

Thank you.

 

[goav2000]

Is it hard to make my own reservations and switch it to my TA when discounts come out? My husband insists we use his cousin, but she isn't helpful at all and doesn't work Mondays, which seems to be when this will come out.

Not difficult. Just don't pay in full. If you pay in full, the res can't be switched over.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Disney Adult means that they are children 10+ pay adult tickets and food prices but don't count as adults in the room.

We should just call them Juniors which is what Disney use to call them. They need adult tickets and for dining plans adult prices, but are considered a child for the room.

Oh good to know, thank you.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

Last year the FD thread was closed. I haven't seen one yet (please let me know if there is one), but I thought about starting a thread later this week for those who want to continue planning their trips together once FD drops. Does that sound ok? We won't have to abandon this thread (unless it gets closed), but can continue to help others look for deals and plan our trips as well.

I don't think this site has to close at all. I think there is no limit like there was last year. Last year people stayed on this site for months afterward and when we got close to an end we started a support group, but I dont think that will be neeeded.

 

[Chris Anglin]

We are at ASSp the last week of September!

We are too!

 

[JoyAhead]

Thanks! Do you know if I transfer it to her when I make the res or after? Would that be something she did, or me?